news that an airline could drop a flight to the Island.

It is understood that USAirways is poised to drop one of its services from the lucrative east coast next year -- after warning the Department of Tourism that it would do so if another ship hurt its trade.

The airline is angry that the new Crown Dynasty will sail from Philadelphia, and operate cruise and stay with a charter flight originating in Chicago and calling at the port.

It fears the new service will affect its business and informed Tourism of its concerns before Tourism signed the new ship.

It is understood USAirways was not consulted again.

The move has angered Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell, who said USAirways said it could not afford to have three flights a day if the cruise ship began.

The company currently operates services from Philadelphia and Baltimore, with a seasonal flight from New York La Guardia and Charlotte.

It is understood the La Guardia service could be the one under threat.

Mr. Dodwell said: "I am very upset that USAir will be dropping one of its daily seasonal flights, from La Guardia almost certainly.

"This is a direct result of the sixth cruise ship.

"We are going lose out on the lucrative New York sector with a major carrier -- I have a huge problem with that.'' Mr. Dodwell said the threat was evident when he was still Tourism Minister and was made crystal clear.

"USAir told us if we initiated a cruise ship that would impact on flights, they would pull out one of their flights -- now that has happened.

"This is an international flight we are going to lose.

"Once it has gone no other airline can pick it up, nor can USAir.'' Mr. Dodwell accused Tourism Minister David Allen of not talking to one of his airline partners, adding that he believed he did not consult with USAirways before signing up the sixth ship -- even though its position was clear.

He said it was a clear indication that there needed to be a balance between air arrivals and cruise passengers.

And he said it again showed the need to release the Airline Strategy Report, begun under the United Bermuda Party.

And Mr. Dodwell pointed to the introduction of the fifth cruise ship in the early 1990s, from Boston, which immediately impacted air arrivals from that city.

The Crown Dynasty is due to start a weekly service from Philadelphia in May.

Calling at Dockyard, it will heavily feature cruise and stay passengers, who will fly charter to and from the Island.

USAirways could not be reached for comment by press time last night while Mr.

Allen was off the Island and could not be contacted.